Chiefs coach Andy Reid's heartbreaking story... including family tragedies and son's controversial jail term

Andy Reid is on the precipice of Super Bowl history. With a win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, his Kansas City Chiefs can become the first NFL team to win three consecutive Lombardi Trophies. But while their fourth title in six years is within reach, much of the Chiefs' historic run has been marred by off-the-field controversy connected to their head coach. Throughout his coaching career, Reid has given players opportunities for redemption, from convicted dog-fighting kingpin Michael Vick in Philadelphia to Kansas City stars accused of domestic abuse such as Tyreek Hill , Frank Clark and Justin Cox.

In September he brought back running back Kareem Hunt, who'd been released from the team years earlier in response to domestic abuse allegations. This season, Hunt rewarded Reid's leniency with a solid 728 rushing yards and seven touchdowns before adding two more scores in the postseason. 'I think people deserve a second chance if they've done something to work on the first part of it,' Reid said back in September.

A former offensive tackle at BYU who went on to become a premiere assistant coach in Green Bay, a top head coach in Philadelphia, and three-time Super Bowl champion in Kansas City, Reid's history of forgiveness is unsurprising to anyone who knows his family's battle with drug and alcohol addiction. Andy Reid is on the precipice of Super Bowl history with a chance to win three straight. Reid has already beaten his former team, the Eagles, in a previous Super Bowl in 2023.

It was back on November 1, 2007 that his two oldest sons both received drug sentences in separate Pennsylvania trials. At the time, Montgomery County ( Pennsylvania ) Judge Steven O'Neill likened the coach's home to 'a drug emporium' and questioned whether his sons should continue living there. 'There isn't any structure there that this court can depend upon,' O'Neill said before sentencing a then-22-year-old Britt Reid to 23 months in prison after he pointed a gun at another driver in a road-rage incident.

Earlier that day, 24-year-old Garrett Reid was also given a 23-month sentence for driving into another vehicle while high on heroin. He was later accused of trying to smuggle drugs into prison. 'I don't want to die doing drugs,' a desperate Garrett told the court. 'I don't want to be that kid who was the son of the head coach of the Eagles, who was spoiled and on drugs and OD'd and just faded into oblivion.'.

Andy Reid would take five weeks off that year to be with his family and accompany his sons to drug rehab, but Garrett's story would ultimately have a tragic ending: He died of an accidental heroin overdose in 2012 at age 29. 'We loved Garrett so much,' Andy and wife Tammy wrote in a joint statement after his death. 'He was a wonderful son and brother. He made us laugh, he was a pleasure to be around, he always had a smile on his face, and we will miss him dearly. We will never forget him, and we will remember him with love.

'Garrett's road through life was not always an easy one. He faced tremendous personal challenges with bravery and spirit. As a family, we stood by him and were inspired as he worked to overcome those challenges. Even though he lost the battle that has been ongoing for the last eight years, we will always remember him as a fighter who had a huge, loving heart.'. Head coach Andy Reid of the Philadelphia Eagles bows his head the the New England Patriots honer Coach Reid's son Garrett at Gillette Stadium on August 20, 2012 in Foxborough.

A moment of silence is observed for Andy Reid's son Garrett Reid before the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and thePhillies at Citizens Bank Park on August 5, 2012. Asign from head coach Andy Reid and his family thanking everyone for their support following the death of their son Garrett at Lincoln Financial Field on August 9, 2012. Kansas City Chiefs: -120. Philadelphia Eagles: +102. Anytime touchdown scorer: Saquon Barkley -190, Jalen Hurts -115, Travis Kelce +125, Xavier Worthy +150.

Odds are provided by FanDuel and are correct at the time of publishing. But the Reid's pain wasn't over as Britt would become the source of a major scandal in the years to come. He was intoxicated and driving at about 84 mph in a 65 mph zone when his Dodge truck hit two cars on an entrance ramp to Interstate 435 near Arrowhead Stadium on February 4, 2021, as the Chiefs were preparing to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV.

Six people were injured in the collision, including Reid and 5-year-old Ariel Young, who suffered a traumatic brain injury. One of the vehicles he hit had stalled because of a dead battery, and the second was owned by Ariel's mother, who had arrived to help. 'My heart goes out to all those that were involved in the accident, in particular the little girl who is fighting for her life,' Andy said after the crash. 'I can't comment any more than what I am here, so the questions that you have, I'm going to have to turn those down at this time. But just from a human standpoint, man, my heart bleeds for everyone involved in that.'.